How long I sat plunged in grim, melancholy thoughts I know not. When I returned to consciousness, the bright moon was shining full into the room, and the broken statue looked pale and ghostly in the deep shadow. I had risen, and was standing before the window with my head sunk on my breast, when suddenly I felt a warm arm slowly entwine itself about my neck. Starting with a cry of surprise, I turned, and found to my amazement that Santina stood beside me. "Gasparo!" she whispered softly, drawing my head down and kissing my lips. "Santina!" I exclaimed joyfully. "You have at last returned?" "Yes," she replied. "I--I told you we should meet again, and I have kept my promise." She was very handsomely dressed in an evening gown of pale blue, her velvet cape was edged with sable, and, unloosened, displayed around her throat a diamond necklet that shone in the bright moonbeams a narrow line of white brilliancy. For a few moments we stood in silence, clasped in each other's arms. Then I commenced to question her, and she told me how she had been living far away in London, adding-- "But I have come back to you, Gasparo. You still love me, do you not?" "Love you?" I cried. "I would give half the years of my life if you were mine." "I am yours," she said, gazing earnestly into my eyes. "But--but your husband?" I exclaimed. She shrugged her shoulders carelessly and laughed. Her eyes travelled round the studio, until they fell upon the mutilated statue. "Ah!" she cried hoarsely; "your enemy's handiwork. Then that was part of the revenge!" "What revenge? Tell me about it!" "A--a shadow came between us, Gasparo," she sighed. "You had a rival, although you were unaware of it, and I was afraid to tell you, because I feared you would act desperately and create a scene. The man pestered me with his attentions, but I loved you, and turned a deaf ear to him. On the evening of the tragedy he came to me surreptitiously, and, with passionate declarations, begged me to accept him, but I refused, and left the room, vowing to leave Italy, never to return. I knew not what to do, for I was afraid to confess I loved you, as I saw that a _fracas_ and scandal would ensue, but at length I came to the conclusion that it would be best for both of us if we parted at least for a time, therefore I wrote you that cruel letter, in order to make you think my flirtation was at an end." "Yes; yes," I said, eagerly drinking in every word.